Need to replace LCAs ASAP

Evening all. I need a new passenger side LCA. Probably should replace both. Wasn’t expecting this but when we went to align my new 285s, the eccentric was seized to the bushing sleeve resulting in not being able to completely get the Alignment right. With that being said, I need a new LCA. Or do I? Any suggestions? I don’t need anything crazy like a dirt king, etc. something comparable to the Stock oem LCAs. I don’t want to pay a shit ton either.

 

Replace the bolts not the whole arm

 

According to my buddy, if he tried to get the bolts off they would snap badly. But I agree. How would this require a new LCA? Maybe they weren’t comfortable to get it off without breaking or damaging the bushing, or worst. That would save so much money.

 

Sometimes the cam sleeve is seized to the bushing itself, and/or cutting through the bolts to get them off ends up cutting through or damaging part of the bushing. For a 5th Gen, I’m not sure if toyota sells just replacement bushings, and I don’t believe there are currently any aftermarket bushing options for 5th Gen.

Just explaining plausible reasons as to why OP might have been advised to just get new arms and cams.

Before all that though, I’d try to soak them in PB blaster or similar over night, and then try again to see if the bolts and cam sleeves can be extracted. A little heat might help as well, just have to be careful not to toast the bushings in the process.

 

Heat and slow pressure. At this point no worse off if you’re already considering getting new lowers. But be had the lower cam bolts seized and heat and a lot of slow slow pressure was able to get them out without damaging the lca bushing.

 

I see you have some feelers out at the other forum, did you happen to see these over there? Just in case you need some, they seem pretty reasonable.

 

Just making sure.......he's trying to loosen the cam bolt (at the bolt head) and not the cam bolt nut right? The nut is welded on and will be frozen no matter what you do. In order to loosen you need to turn the bolt head.

 

Yes. He tried to loosen the cam bolt to adjust the alignment. To be honest, I don’t know how hard he tried. I trust he did all he could. The other side was easy as can be to adjust. I apologize for my lack of knowledge under there to do it. He’s got the lift and the knowledge, and the alignment experience for trucks and Jeeps. I might have been his fist 4Runner. But should matter.

 

All good. Just asking. Sometimes that mistake is made and it's an easy fix.

 

Appreciate it man. I am learning everyday from stuff like this and peoples guidance and 2cents.

 

C'mon guys...

You really think Toyota is not going to sell those bushings, eccentric sleeves, bolts?? If that was the case, why the heck would everyone nut-swing Toyota so much?? Cause that would be.. freaking stupid.

OP, you have nothing to lose. Try to get them out. Cut them out. Grind the bushing out. Just don't hurt the 4Runner's frame, and try to not hurt the actual arm, because that could be pricey from Toyota. That said, I imagine there are thousands out there in junk yards based off of how many of these things they sell..

 

Replacement sleeves and cam bolts they definitely sell, but a couple of years back I needed bushings for my 3rd gen taco, and at that time Toyota did not sell the bushings separately; they had them for 2nd Gen and earlier, but not 3rd (3rg gen switched to a slightly larger bushing and slightly larger cam and sleeve); was told they only sold them as an assembly. I remember then at some point out of curiosity I looked to see if they sold them for 4Runners, and while I found part numbers for them, I was running into the same thing to where if I searched by the part number, it was only bringing up full arm assemblies; though I didn't put forth much effort into the search, so just made an assumption.

However, I just did a quick google search using numbers referenced above, and am indeed seeing Toyota OEM replacement bushings sold separately; so I was wrong, and they are in fact available.

 

I know that you were just playing devil's advocate..

When I read your post I was like "OMG if Toyota EVEN doesn't sell these bushings... " lol so I had to go check.

I'm glad they, apparently, got their sh*t together.

It might be different if this was a little car, and not a truck "designed" to go beat up, or be beaten up by, the trails.. but even then.. That's just plain environmentally irresponsible.. can't get away with that these days lol!

 

Thanks everyone. This was a huge help. So I spoke with my shop buddy. We aren’t going to replace the arm. Way to expensive for a non broken part. We will order the bolt and bushings, etc. try to remove without breaking the bushing. If all else, cut the bolt and then replace the bushing and bolt. And walllla. I hope. To be continued unless anyone else has something to add.